NEW YORK, Sept 23, 2025 – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has called for an immediate investigation into a potential act of sabotage at the United Nations, where an escalator malfunctioned as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were stepping on it. The incident occurred ahead of Trump’s first major foreign policy speech since his reelection, sparking concerns over security and intentional disruption.
According to a report by The Times, UN staff members had previously joked about turning off the escalators and elevators to force Trump to walk up the stairs, raising suspicions that the malfunction may not have been accidental. “If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately,” Leavitt stated on X.
The escalator incident was part of a series of technical glitches that marred Trump’s address to the United Nations General Assembly. His teleprompter also failed, prompting an unscripted critique of the UN’s relevance and globalism. During his speech, Trump claimed to have ended seven wars without UN assistance, touted U.S. economic achievements, and warned European leaders about the impacts of immigration, drawing divided reactions from world leaders and social media users.
The malfunctioning escalator and teleprompter were seized upon by Trump to mock the UN, further escalating tensions between the U.S. and the international body. The incident has reignited debates over the UN’s role and the U.S.’s relationship with the organization, with some calling for a reevaluation of funding and support.
As of now, the UN has not issued an official response to the allegations, but the White House’s demand for an investigation underscores the seriousness with which the incident is being treated. The unfolding events continue to shape the narrative around Trump’s second term and his approach to international relations.